How does yeast brew beer?

- Yeast is a type of fungus that is responsible for the fermentation process in brewing beer.

- Yeast converts the sugars in the wort (the liquid extracted from malted barley) into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

- The type of yeast used will determine the flavour and characteristics of the beer.

Here's a step-by-step explanation of how yeast brews beer:

1. Malting: The first step in brewing beer is to malt the barley. This involves steeping the barley in water, then allowing it to germinate. Once the barley has germinated, it is kilned (dried) to stop the germination process.

2. Mashing: The malted barley is then crushed and mixed with hot water in a process called mashing. This extracts the sugars from the barley into a liquid called wort.

3. Boiling: The wort is then boiled in a brew kettle. This helps to sterilize the wort and extract flavours from the hops, which are added during the boiling process.

4. Cooling: The wort is then cooled to a temperature that is suitable for yeast fermentation.

5. Fermentation: The cooled wort is then transferred to a fermentation vessel, where yeast is added. The yeast will convert the sugars in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process can take several days or weeks.

6. Conditioning: Once fermentation is complete, the beer is conditioned for a period of time. This allows the flavours to develop and mature.

7. Packaging: The beer is then packaged into bottles, cans, or kegs.

8. Enjoy: Finally, the beer is ready to be enjoyed!

Additional information about yeast in brewing beer:

- There are many different strains of yeast that can be used in brewing beer. Each strain will impart different flavours and characteristics to the beer.

- The temperature and conditions of the fermentation process will also affect the flavour of the beer.

- Yeast is a living organism, and as such, it is important to keep it healthy and happy. This can be done by providing it with the right nutrients and environment.